Sunbathing in public spaces is against the law, says government

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky’s Sophy Ridge that “no body should be going out to sunbathe in public spaces.”

This comes after many people are ignoring the governments advice, which is “backed up in law” as groups of people are still gathering in parks and other public spaces.

Parks in Battersea on Saturday were full of people gathering, and also along the Thames.

Hancock said, “We’re absolutely clear that you should not leave your home unless it’s for one of four reasons: for medical reasons, to buy food, to go to work if you can’t work at home and for exercise.”

He added that the rules are there for the protection of public health, these are “backed up in law.”

“It is not a request, it is a requirement in law and people need to follow it.

“I just say this to the very small minority of people who are choosing to flout the guidance – you are putting others’ lives at risk.”

The Department for Health announced on Saturday another 708 people have died from coronavirus taking the total to 4,313.

The department said, “A total of 183,190 people have been tested of which 41,903 tested positive.”

Public Health England (PHE) said of the 637 English deaths in hospitals, patients were aged between five and 104-years old.

West Hertfordshire Trust hospital are telling people not to attend the hospital’s emergency department even “in an emergency,” until “further notice.”

Watford General hospital are telling people to go to their nearest hospital with an “emergency department” and “anyone with non-urgent issues must contact 111.”

NHS doctors face “grave decisions” over who lives and who dies according to new guidance issued over life saving treatment for coronavirus patients.

Should hospitals become overwhelmed with infected patients then doctors will have to make those decisions, the latest guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA) states.